Heisenberg!
The name instantly etched itself into countless hearts.
Even if, before this moment, that name had never been spoken by anyone.
Even if he had never set foot in the eras that came before.
From this day forward, the coming age—
that age shall be called Heisenberg!
Hands tucked into the pockets of his dress slacks, Heisenberg turned around unhurriedly.
Beneath the gaze of every onlooker, their eyes now void of all else and brimming only with reverence and adoration, he slowly walked back toward his fortress.
As he passed Clark, Heisenberg gave a slight nod.
"You look like you have something to say. Come with me."
"Yes, Great-Grandfather!"
Clark nodded numbly, then followed Heisenberg back into the ship in silence.
Once their figures had vanished, the Kryptonian robots turned in unison and retreated into the fortress.
The ship's doors sealed shut, and the people could no longer see Heisenberg—only the blue-tinged streams of light that continued to orbit the Kryptonian vessel, silently carrying out their duty.
Staring at that unceasing blue glow circling the ship, staring at the sunlight that now filled every corner of the world,
the people deeply understood: the times had changed!!!
...
Inside the Kryptonian ship, with only the two of them left, Heisenberg relaxed considerably.
He strolled over to the control center, and the ship's intelligence immediately manipulated particles to form a seat for him.
As he sat, he gestured toward Clark with a finger.
In an instant, a slightly smaller chair materialized beside Clark.
"Sit. I just got home today, so I don't have anything to offer you yet, child."
"No, no, we just ate, and I'm not much of a drinker anyway."
As Clark spoke, he straightened his expression and asked seriously,
"Great-Grandfather, those things you just did..."
"Which things?"
Heisenberg cut Clark off, casually gesturing at the virtual displays surrounding the control console.
Even seated inside the ship, the holographic projections showed every corner of the outside world, arrayed all around him.
He pointed at the citizens of Metropolis outside the ship, who were still howling madly, jumping up and down, embracing one another.
"You mean what I revealed to them?"
Heisenberg turned to Clark with a smile.
"As a returning god, of course I must announce my return to the world.
Isn't that the tradition since time immemorial?
That's exactly how we did it back in the day!"
"Ah..."
Clark faltered. He'd been worried that his great-grandfather's public display of divinity was part of some scheme.
But hearing it put like that, it actually made perfect sense!
In the old myths, Odin and Zeus did this sort of thing all the time...
Thinking this, Clark rubbed his forehead helplessly and sighed.
"Alright, I misunderstood you, Great-Grandfather. You've been in hibernation for so long.
But what you did today is going to frighten them!"
"Is it?"
Heisenberg's smiling eyes studied Clark, and then he gestured at the surrounding projections again.
"They seem rather happy to me."
"Well..."
Clark thought to himself, every single person in Metropolis was just overwhelmed by you!
Once some time passes and the euphoria wears off, they'll absolutely see you as an enemy!
But he thought it over, and in the end, he didn't say that to Heisenberg.
After all, Clark had his own little schemes.
True, the endless daylight his great-grandfather had gifted the world would terrify many, but it also showed that he was fond of humanity.
If Clark told him that humans were wary of him, and that caused his great-grandfather to turn around and decide to send a great flood...
Under Heisenberg's influence, Clark's thoughts began to spiral down ever more conspiratorial paths...
He resolved to introduce a number of outstanding human beings to his great-grandfather.
As long as, before Heisenberg grew disgusted with the ugliness of modern people, he could show him the brilliant side of human nature,
then humanity would be completely safe, and his great-grandfather could become a true guardian deity for mankind!
A guardian deity far, far stronger than himself!
At that thought, Clark couldn't help but glance at the empty vastness around them.
No, this place was too lonely. He had to find a way to liven it up!
Getting his great-grandfather to fall in love with today's Earth and its people had become his most important mission!
An idea sparked in Clark's mind, and he suddenly spoke.
"Great-Grandfather, do you plan to leave the ship stationed here in Metropolis permanently?"
"Of course!" Heisenberg nodded without hesitation.
Clark broke into a grin.
"Well then, how about making this the liaison base for the Justice League?"
Smiling, Clark began to persuade Heisenberg earnestly.
"You just founded the League, after all. You are its rightful leader.
If we place the League's base here, we can come spend time around you often.
And it would make it easier for you to manage things, too!"
Besides, weren't the members of the Justice League the very people on Earth who radiated the most human brilliance?
Clark believed in himself. As long as he was around, every new member of the Justice League in the future would be filled with the light of humanity!
Hearing Clark's words, Heisenberg smiled with satisfaction.
"That's exactly what I had in mind!"
As he spoke, he waved his right hand.
Countless particles around him instantly gathered, forming the shape of the Kryptonian ship.
Then, the particle model split into three sections, and Heisenberg began to explain to Clark.
"I've been planning this all along. And it's not just the Justice League—our returning kin will also live with me inside my fortress!
The ship covers four hundred and forty acres, more than enough for hundreds to live comfortably, so I'll divide it into three parts.
The largest section will be for our people, about three hundred and fifty acres.
The middle section is my own home, requiring only about fifty acres.
As for the Justice League's activity zone, aside from about forty acres of living quarters, the main development will extend underground.
On the surface, the ship will serve as the League's emblem and defensive fortification.
A fortification guarded by Kryptonians and Kryptonian technology should be more than sufficient to cover all of the Justice League's future operations and gains.
What do you think?"
Heisenberg asked, looking at Clark, whose expression was clearly tempted.
Truth be told, when Clark heard that this place would be protected by countless Kryptonians, he was genuinely moved!
His thoughts immediately flew to his mother and his lover, who had only just been kidnapped this very night!
If they were looked after by Kryptonian kin, no one could harm a single hair on their heads!
That would mean he could finally throw himself completely into carrying out his own brand of justice!!!
But just as he reached that thought, his mind suddenly turned.
He realized an even more important issue!
"Wait, Great-Grandfather, you said our people are about to return?
You've already contacted them?"
"Of course!"
Heisenberg nodded firmly.
"I've issued the supreme Kryptonian summons.
Every active Kryptonian ship anywhere in the current universe!
Every fully equipped Kryptonian outpost.
Even every single functioning independent Kryptonian communicator!
They will all receive my message and my coordinates, and they are destined to make their way to me!"
Clark frowned.
"Great-Grandfather, they won't harm Earth, will they?"
"How could they? I'm here."
Heisenberg gave a carefree smile, and that smile temporarily put Clark's worries to rest.
Besides, all he could do was set his worries aside—the signal had already been sent.
So Clark nodded.
"Let's do it your way. If it really works out, maybe my family and I can live here too.
With you here, there's probably no place safer!"
"Naturally. This is my home, it is the Kryptonians' home, and it is your home too, Kal-El!"
Heisenberg rose to his feet and, under Clark's resigned expression, gently ruffled his hair.
"I don't know how you endured your past all alone.
And I don't want to know either.
All I know is that from now on, you are no longer alone, child!"
With that, Heisenberg released him. His right hand reached into the air, and in a flash, a particle-formed list materialized before him.
He glanced at the list, then turned back to Clark.
"You don't seem busy. Help me out with some work.
Take this list and start sourcing materials—gather whatever you can find on Earth first.
God knows what you've all done to this ship, it's been damaged far too severely. I need to repair our home!"
As his words fell, the list in Heisenberg's hand dispersed into particles.
Those particles, as if carried by an unseen wind, drifted over to Clark and settled into his hand.
Clark picked up the list and scanned it. The required materials numbered over three thousand seven hundred types, ninety-five percent of which were various metals.
Drawing on the knowledge in his mind, Clark figured he could find about six hundred and twenty of those materials on Earth.
"Great-Grandfather, Earth only has about a sixth of the materials. The rest will have to be found out in space!"
"No matter. Find what you can first, and I'll handle the rest."
Heisenberg nodded, then strode briskly out of the control center.
Leading Clark through the corridor to the Genesis Chamber, Heisenberg immediately got to work dismantling the equipment inside.
"In my design, many of the ship's functions are useless—especially the Genesis Chamber, which exists solely to cultivate artificial Kryptonians.
In my era, I will not permit Krypton to continue down that misguided path!
The materials from this facility alone will cover about a tenth of our total needs.
When our people return, their vessels will also serve as my materials; we'll eventually scrape together enough for the repairs!"
As he spoke, Heisenberg aimed his heat vision directly at the cultivation apparatus cradled in his arms, melting it into liquid metal. With a toss, he flung the molten material aside.
Dozens of particle tendrils sprouted from the ship's walls, methodically separating the liquid alloy.
Watching Heisenberg dive straight into the work, Clark felt a sudden surge of excitement.
So this was what it felt like to rebuild your own home with your own hands?
"Wait for me. I'll go buy materials with Lois right away.
It might take me a while, though—some of the more expensive metals I can't afford, so I'll have to travel around the world and do some digging!"
"Mm, suit yourself."
Heisenberg nodded, and Clark vanished in a flash. He raced out of the ship, straight home, and swept his lover into a tight embrace!
Seeing Clark's face glowing with excitement, Lois was utterly baffled.
"Honey, you're finally back! What on earth is happening outside? It's broad daylight, but there's no sun at all!!!"
Hearing her question, Clark cupped her cheeks with both hands, squishing her face into a chubby pout.
He pressed his forehead against hers and growled with exhilaration.
"That was Great-Grandfather's doing. It's his power—he is the sun!
But that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is... I'm finally not alone anymore, darling!!!"
/-\
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